St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-12-30
CONSTANT CHANGING
Congressman Lind Wants a
Tariff Law Adjustable
and Changeable.
One That WI. Constantly be
Changing to the Need Of
the Country.
Politicians Hustling for the
Political PlumS to be Gath
cred at Washington.
Congressman Enloe, Of Ten
nessee, No Longer Sucker
for the Old Timers.
Snecial to the Globe.

Special to the Globe.
WASHINGTON, d. c.. Dec. 29.-HOn.
John j. Lind, after much persuasion.
consented this evening to give express
sion to the following views concerning
needed and prospective legislation con-
cerning the tariff, the surplus and the
internal revenue problems:
Although | expressed myself as hav-
ing been pleased with the action of Hon.
J. B. Wakefield in that he voted for
the consideration of the Morrison bill,
and introduced a resolution expressing
that qualification at meeting i'll my
district, was at one time accused of
being a high prOtectionist in my views,
and therefore inimical to the interests OF
the farmers of the Northwest. The
fact is, however, that my views might
better be expressed in a condensed
form in this manner; l believe
that a tariff law which
covers the commodities imported to this
country should be adjustable and
changeable, to conform to the con-
stantly changing conditions in the re-
public. For example, the tariff question
which was enacted during and imme-
diately after war, may be
CONCEDED TO HAVE BEEN WISE.
but if that be true, it does not neces-
sarily follow that such legislation
should stand for all time as the best
work that can be done by an American
congress. In those days the expenses
of the country were simply enormous.
The deadly drain of at least million
dollars per day for the support of our
armies necessitated the raising of un-
usually large sums of money:
and while the duties were hard
to bear by the private citi-
Zens. they were ACKNOWLEDGED 10
be simply necessary and absolutely so,
and it was found that they served a good
purpose in encouraging American indus
tries. But when the armies were dis
banded in 1868, that drain upon the
treasury was modified, and shortly
thereafter entirely ceased. Then it was
argued that the Indebtedness of the
country was such as to quire a con-
tinuance of the war tariff and internal
revenue for an indefinite period. That
was also correct to a certain degree. But
for the past fifteen years or more the
expenses of the government have been
decreasing. in a certain sense, although
it is true that the wheels of government
have increased in size by the growth of
the country. mean to say that COM
pared with our growth and prosperity
the government expenses have apprOXi-
mateiy decreased. To-day the expenses
of the government are more than met
by the tariff and internal revenue laws,
and the surplus is tapping over the eX-
penditureS in a manner which is alarm
ing in the extreme. j believe that
SOMETHING MUST BE DONE,
and speedily done, for the reduction of
the surplus in the treasury by a de-
crease in the income of the government.
rhe moneys which are daily and almost
hourly wrung from the people should
be sent back in the channels of trade.
and the revenues rapidly reduced.
Times and conditions have changed,
and the tariff laws must also change.
But in making this change the principle
of protecting American industries need
not and must not be subOrdinated to the
idea of tariff for revenue only"
''How would you proceed to accom-
plish the desired result?"
I'm the first place create free list,
which will bring the necesSarieS of life
within the reach of the people without
compelling them to pay revenue which
is as unnecessary as ii is unjust. That
is about all We can hope to accomplish
now. Sugar should be placed upon the
free list, and may say that / am com
pletely in harmony with my colleague,
Mr. Nelson, in the matter of placing upon
the free list every article which he has
mentioned recently. In addition to that
| believe that there should be absolute
free entry into this country for all books
published in European countries in for
eign languages. l want to be able to
send to Germany, Sweden, Norway or
any other country and have my chosen
books mailed to me
DIRECT FROM THE PUBLISHER,
without the payment of tariff which
is unnecessary. and protects nobody,
while it robs me and others who want
such works"
"How do you like the presidents
mesSage?"
"Generally speaking, l am pleased
with it, but | am not prepared this time
to discuss it in detail. / have read it
carefully, and will say that his recon-
mendatiOnS concerning wool are very
faulty. He considers the wool upon
the back of the farmers sheep
as raw material. 1t is nothing of the
kind. 1t is the capital, the stock in
trade of the farmer. 1t represents his
labor, care and pains for at least year
The food eaten TO produce the wool is a
part of his capital, and his time is
money. Wool is anything but raw
material. If the president would
recommend not only the abolition of
the tariff on wool, or reduction on that
tariff, but also corresponding abolition
or reduction of the tariff upon the
manufactured article. the farmer can
then stand it and laugh with those who
laugh best and last"
''What do you think of the suggested
abolition of the revenue taxes OH tobacco
and whisky?"
81 AM NOT IN FAVOR
of taking the tax off whisky under any
circumstances. AS to tobacco, as a
matter of compromise. il by support
ing measure for the reduction OF the
tax ON manufactured tobacco. l
should thereby be enabled to secure for
my constituents relief from other taxes
which could not otherwise be accom-
plished, l should vote for it, otherwise
not"
"What do you think of the present
prospects for needed legislation in these
particulars?'
''This is hardly fair question to ask
of a new member who has had SO little
time for acquaintance and observation
as l have had. | fear, however, from
what have learned and picked up that
Western measures and Western interests
will not fare too well at the hands of con-
gress OF Of the administration. The In